A MUM has paid tribute to her “perfect” son after he was crushed to death while at work.

James Rourke, 22, from Westcliff, lost his life after being struck and run over by an excavator at Sarazen Gardens, Brampton on November 18, 2019.

The 22-year-old site engineer had been attaching “warning” work signs to fencing around the site when he was hit by the vehicle.

READ MORE >> Company fined £133k after Westcliff 22-year-old crushed to death on building site

His employer, Materials Movement Limited, of Royston Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, has since pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

On Friday, the company was fined £133,330 and ordered to pay £8,500 in costs at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

James’ mother, Clare, paid tribute to her son in her victim personal statement.

She said: “The sunshine has been taken from our lives and the dark gap is immense.

“Our profound loss is ever present; James is always missing. Missing from family events, Christmas, birthdays, holidays. Unknown to newborn family members. Unknown to new friends.

“Our house has a bedroom with no owner. Possessions we cannot bear to touch, photographs we cannot look at.

“We were an even family of six, now an odd family of five – incomplete, unbalanced.

“James was perfect. He was a big part of our close family unit. He would do anything for us. We cherished him, dearly.

“He was a compassionate, valued friend to many and was known for his humour and gentle nature.”

Martin Paren, HSE inspector, added: “This tragic incident led to the avoidable death of a young man. 

“This death could have easily been prevented if his employer had properly planned, instructed, and supervised the work.

“Our thoughts today are with the family of James, who should have been protected from such harm at work – because of the failings of Materials Movement Ltd he was not.”